POPPYSCOTLAND announced today that their 2011 appeal raised a record-breaking £2.68 million – an astounding 14.7% increase on 2010.
At an event on board the Type 45 destroyer, HMS Defender, at BAE Systems in Scotstoun, crew members were joined by retiring Scottish Poppy Appeal volunteer, Robert Laidlaw, from Clydebank, to display the magnificent sum of £2,688,084, which was achieved thanks to the support of the Scottish public.
The November campaign was the 90th anniversary of the Scottish Poppy Appeal and is Poppyscotland’s most successful ever.
Left to right: Sub Lieutentant Christoper Rothwell, 23, Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Pearce,40, Robert Laidlaw, 77, and Chief Daniel Castle, 30, aboard HMS Defender
The charity relies on money raised from the Appeal to provide year-round support to veterans and their families in need across Scotland, as well awarding grants to organisations that deliver specialist services to veterans.
Chief Executive Ian McGregor said he was overwhelmed with the response from the public: “The 90th anniversary of the Scottish Poppy Appeal was a big year for us and, thanks to the public’s wonderful generosity, we can continue to provide life-changing support to Scotland’s veterans.”
Defender has just returned from four weeks at sea after successfully completing her second and final stage trials, ahead of her handover to the Royal Navy later this year.
Commander Nick Boyd RN who is in charge of Defender said: “We are very happy to be a part of the celebrations today. It gives us a real boost to know that the public is behind our sailors, soldiers and airmen. By giving so generously to the Scottish Poppy Appeal, Poppyscotland is able to fund its important work.”
Whilst Poppyscotland is delighted with the result the charity used the occasion to call for more volunteers to step forward to help with the 2012 campaign.
Many of the charity’s current volunteers are nearing retirement age, including Robert Laidlaw who is retiring from organising the Clydebank collection, which brought in over £50,000 in the last two years alone.
Ian McGregor commented: “Our volunteers are incredibly loyal and hard-working, with some serving for 50 or more years. They carry out vital duties and the sterling efforts of Robert and his team are mirrored across the country. Understandably, many, like Robert, are retiring and it is vital that we recruit new volunteers to ensure the Appeal will be as successful this year in order to meet the growing demands on our services.”
To find out more about volunteering for Poppyscotland call 0141 427 8490, text volunteer to 81400 or email volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk
